So you've found the perfect match, now what? Get ready to make the most out of your 1-hour Phone Call!
Preparing for the Call
Prior to your call, it is recommended that you message your volunteer directly with the following:
Background information to help them understand your Organization (a link to your website, marketing materials, etc.)
Any materials you'd like them to review/provide feedback on
A meeting agenda, including your goals for the discussion
Doing a little bit of preparation in advance will ensure that you make the most of your time together on the phone!
Joining the Call
If you're both based in the US:
Our automated system will call you at the agreed upon time. If for some reason you do not receive or missed the call at the scheduled time, no worries! You can always use the back-up dial-in and PIN information found on your Catchafire dashboard or call confirmation email.
If one or both of you are outside the US:
Our automated system is unfortunately unable to call international numbers at this time. If you've scheduled an international call, you should have received an email with the other party's contact information. In these cases, we ask that you coordinate directly with your volunteer via email or Messaging to choose how you'll connect for your call. Having trouble? Reach out to us using the blue chat bubble on the bottom-right of your screen (for keyboard-only and screen-reader users, please email us at help@catchafire.org)!
Tip: Make sure you mark your call "Complete" on your dashboard after you've completed your international call!
Introductions
Start your call by introducing yourself, your organization, and give a brief overview of your organization's needs. Allow your volunteer to introduce themselves as well, and what led them to apply for your call. This is a great way to start your relationship off right by building a collaborative rapport.
Discussion
Once you've given an overview of what you're looking for, give your Volunteer plenty of time on the call to ask you questions and give recommendations. Show that you're actively listening by asking follow-up questions about what they're communicating to you.
Next Steps
Once you've completed your call, be sure to log back in to your dashboard to rate your experience with your Volunteer. There, you'll also be able to view their contact information and/or message them directly so you can stay in touch!
Tip: We suggest sending a follow-up email thanking your Volunteer for their time. We've found this can be a great step towards an ongoing relationship in which you can feel comfortable pinging them with questions from time-to-time, or asking for their help on small projects.